Hong Kong students at Birmingham Law School

Birmingham Law School has a thriving population of almost 50 students from Hong Kong currently studying one of our LLB, LLM or research degree programmes.

England and Hong Kong share a Common Law heritage and Birmingham Law School has a long history of welcoming students from Hong Kong. 

The UK has traditionally trained the leading lawyers working in Hong Kong and many of our former students return to Hong Kong to enjoy successful legal careers. The most notable of these is Mr Justice Geoffrey Ma Tao-Li, the Chief Justice of the High Court in Hong Kong, who graduated from the LLB programme at Birmingham in 1977.  

Birmingham University has the full package and I promise it is not going to disappoint or fail your expectations. From the picturesque and lively campus, the approachable and helpful student body, to the lovely mentors and teachers that treat your problems as their own, each and every one of those contributed to defining a sense of familiarity and belonging for me at Birmingham.

Kathy Cheung, Law with Criminology

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Entry requirements

LLB programmes 

We can accept the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) for entry to our LLB programmes with grades of 555 (with a minimum of 3 in all areas). We can accept English and Maths from the core HKDSE subjects, but not Chinese or Liberal Studies. The required grades can come from any combination of electives and/or English and Maths. 

LLB for Graduates

We require a 2:1 or equivalent in a non-law degree from a recognised institution for entry to our LLB for Graduates programme. We can also consider high 2:2s. 

LLM programmes

We require a 2:1 or equivalent in an LLB degree from a recognised institution for entry to our LLM programmes. We can also consider high 2:2s. 

English Language

We can accept English from the HKDSE to meet our English proficiency requirements. Alternatively, we require IELTS at grade 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any band, or equivalent. More information can be found on our entry requirement pages

Accreditation

Students with an overseas law degree looking to practice in Hong Kong will need to take the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). In order to qualify for PCLL admission, students may be required to take Conversion Examinations. 

Further information can be found on the PCLL website

The above information is for guidance purposes. We recommend that students carry out their own research and check with the legal associations in the jurisdictions they wish to practise in for the most up to date information as the regulations may change. 

As a Birmingham Law School student, you will benefit from our Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research, which offers a range of opportunities to increase your experience of law in action and enhance your employability, including  International Law Week. International Law Week is a series of talks on practicing in other jurisdictions.

Student life at Birmingham

The mix of people, nationalities and cultures within Birmingham Law School greatly enriches the learning and teaching environment. When choosing to study at the University of Birmingham you can be assured that you will have access to all the necessary support services to make your time here fun and enjoyable, as well as educational.

Student Experience Officer

There is a Student Experience Officer for Birmingham Law School and our international students. Their role is to ensure you make the most of your time at Birmingham. They also produce a weekly newsletter detailing opportunities in the Law School and beyond.

Student societies 

Many nationality groups form student societies during their time at the University of Birmingham. Birmingham Oriental society aims to bring together students from Asian countries, hosting a range of events. Many of the society’s committee and members are from Hong Kong. 

Another popular society is Hong Kong Public Affairs and Social Services society, or HKPASS. As well as bringing students from Hong Kong together, the society also encourages its members to increase their awareness of social/political issues and engage with their local community.  

Accommodation

We want you to feel at home while you are studying at Birmingham. For peace of mind when relocating around the world, we offer an accommodation guarantee scheme to our international students. Please read our terms and conditions for more information.

Advice and support

All members of Law academic staff have office hours set aside each week for students to meet them on a 1-1 basis, meaning that they are always available if you need further clarification or assistance with your studies. On arrival, you will be allocated a personal tutor who will support you with any welfare or academic issues.

There is also lots of advice and support on offer from our International Student Team, both during the application process and throughout your stay in Birmingham. 

Scholarships

Birmingham Law School offers a range of scholarships to its international students each year. Please see our scholarships section for further information.

The University also offers scholarships, including country-specific scholarships. More information on the scholarships available and further advice on funding your degree can be found on our international fees and funding pages. 

Visits

Representatives from Birmingham Law School usually visit Hong Kong twice a year. We will share details of future visits once available.  

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding studying Law at Birmingham, please email us on either law-llb@bham.ac.uk or law-llm@bham.ac.uk. Alternatively, please call +44 (0)121 414 6431.

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